Abstract:This report details a study on the application of American National Standards X3.l02 and X3.l4l to various classes of communication satellite systems from the simple analog "bent–pipe" to NASA's Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). These standards are proposed as a means for quantifying the end-to-end communication system performance of communication satellite systems. An introductory overview of the two standards are given followed by a review of the characteristics, applications, and advantages of using X3.102 and X3.l4l to quantify the performance these classes of communication satellites. The report concludes with a description of the application of these standards to ACTS.

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.